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* Press release…
Standing with working families on his first full day in office, Governor JB Pritzker took important first steps to raise Illinoisans’ wages by signing a robust initial package of legislation and executive orders designed to raise and protect their wages.
“This administration is putting Springfield back on the side of working families and these measures are a critical first step in the work that will define my administration, especially as we move toward raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “On the first day of a new administration, we’re enshrining our state’s values to create real and lasting opportunity for the middle class.
“For hardworking people across Illinois, know that your state government has your back. Whether it’s pay equity for women, prosecuting employers who engage in wage theft, instituting prevailing wage requirements, using project labor agreements, restoring state employees’ steps, or promoting diversity in state contracts, these steps are the first of many to take bold action to support working families. This work is far from done, and I look forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly to advance core priorities so working families across Illinois can thrive.”
Today, Governor Pritzker signed Executive Order 2019-02, which will:
* Require that the Department of Central Management Services and the Department of Human Rights shall review the state’s pay plan to eliminate bias generated by asking employees for salary history, which often disadvantages women, particularly women of color. The State of Illinois will no longer ask prospective employees questions about salary history, because of historic salary disadvantages women face.
* Help protect workers from wage theft. The order directs the Illinois Department of Labor to expeditiously handle all cases of wage theft and day labor exploitation, including referring appropriate cases to the Attorney General. This will allow the administration to hold bad actors accountable and protect workers.
Require that all state agencies comply with the Project Labor Agreements Act.“As the sponsor of the no salary history bill, I am proud to stand with our new governor today as he takes strong, immediate action to close the gender pay gap and move towards pay equity,” said Rep. Anna Moeller. “Governor Pritzker is making it clear to women across our state that they have a staunch ally and advocate in the governor’s office.”
“Surrounded by workers of all backgrounds, Governor Pritzker is delivering on his promise to stand up for working families with his signature on critical legislation today,” said Sen. Cristina Castro. “The action taken by Governor Pritzker today will protect wages, help close the pay gap for women, and improve the wellbeing of thousands of hardworking Illinoisans across our state.”
“I applaud Governor Pritzker for taking immediate action to lift up the middle class and those striving to get there,” said Mike Carrigan, president the Illinois AFL-CIO. “Signing this package of legislation and executive orders on his first full day in office shows that Governor Pritzker is putting working families first.”
Governor Pritzker also took the following measures to support working families:
* SB 203: The governor signed legislation passed by the General Assembly to protect the wages of workers and promote gender and racial diversity in companies with state contracts. The legislation ensures that the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) engages in collective bargaining with local labor stakeholders to establish prevailing wage rates. It also requires the IDOL to release reports on the diversity of workers employed on public works projects and provide recommendations to increase employment of women and people of color on projects.
* Steps: Today, the state will initiate a process to bring state employees to their appropriate salary step level. Under this measure, union employees, many of whom have not received step increases since 2015, will be placed at their appropriate step for purposes of their pay going forward. This action does not address significant outstanding issues, including backpay. The administration will continue to work toward solutions to manage taxpayer resources effectively and compensate state employees fairly.
The EO is here. SB203 is here.
…Adding… AFSCME Council 31 Executive Roberta Lynch…
Governor Pritzker’s announcement represents important progress toward ending Bruce Rauner’s illegal four-year freeze on step progression for state employees.
The process of placing employees on the appropriate step should be completed without delay.
It’s critical that the state also move quickly to make employees whole for the wages they have been wrongfully denied since 2015.
…Adding… IFT President Dan Montgomery…
By signing agreements that ensure fair pay for state workers and move toward pay equity for women, Governor Pritzker has shown more respect for workers and our unions on his first day in office than Bruce Rauner did during his entire term.
We applaud Governor Pritzker for making sure the state fulfills its end of the bargain in negotiated contracts, and we encourage that deliberate steps be taken to address the back-pay issue.
We look forward to continuing to work with the new administration to improve the lives of Illinois workers, provide high-quality public education and services for all, and ensure that the wealthiest pay their fair share to help run our great state. It truly is a new day in Illinois.
…Adding… ILGOP Chairman Tim Schneider…
Governor Pritzker has barely been in office for 24 hours, and he’s already signed an executive order spending an undefined amount of taxpayer dollars on state employee pay increases. Yesterday, we heard promises from Pritzker that he would work with Democrats and Republicans to balance the budget. Yet today, Pritzker unilaterally made reckless spending promises without specifying the costs, creating more budget uncertainty. It’s clear - the Pritzker agenda is the same agenda that has dragged our state down for decades - borrow, tax, spend, repeat.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:42 pm
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Well done on all fronts. Mandating that state government not ask about salary history is a huge step.
Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 1:48 pm
I wonder what happens to those female stateworkers who were victims of previous wage inequity?
Can they submit for an increase?
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:03 pm
Great moves all around
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:03 pm
===…will be placed at their appropriate step for purposes of their pay going forward.===
Effective when? January 16? February 1?
Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:04 pm
So incredibly grateful to Governor Pritzker
for restoring us to our rightful wage step.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:07 pm
Now if Pritzker will request an appropriation for the raises that Quinn stiffed AFSCME, that would be a cherry on the sundae of the first day gushiness.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:09 pm
I wonder what happens to those female stateworkers who were victims of previous wage inequity?
Can they submit for an increase?
-Great question.
Comment by Real Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:10 pm
Excellent first step, no pun intended. Pritzker has a humongous mess to clean up, thanks to the predecessor’s refusal to continue bargaining, and ripping off state workers. Great to see he made an important first move, though the workers should be completely made whole with back-pay (again), and taxpayers can be saved interest on debt if the money is paid as quickly as possible.
The predecessor hated prevailing wage and held the state hostage because of it. Good on Pritzker to start the right way.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:13 pm
What about the Merit Comp employees that haven’t had a raise in years?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:16 pm
=What about the Merit Comp employees that haven’t had a raise in years?=
What about the minority female Merit Comp employees who haven’t had a raise in years and suffer from wage inequity?
Hopefully they will allow a path for salary increase requests.
Comment by Tuesdayblues Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:20 pm
Will PAs (personal assistants) in the DRS HSP get their back pay? They have been working for 18 months at $13 an hour, instead of the budgeted $13.48.
Comment by Informed Mom Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:21 pm
I am about in tears. Would be nice to know when the step raises will happen, but knowing they will is a relief. As it is I have been worrying that next week I can either pay for my child’s 8th grade graduation gown or her school lunches but not both. And being she’s special needs the graduation is a big deal to us. Maybe with the raise coming the school will wait for the lunch money.
Comment by HangingOn Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:26 pm
The IPI just had a collective stroke…
Comment by Gonna laugh Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:28 pm
===Now if Pritzker will request an appropriation for the raises that Quinn stiffed AFSCME===
The GA appropriated money for that in the last session, and all back pay from the Quinn debacle was paid to bargaining unit members last summer.
Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:32 pm
$15 min wage um, nobody is scared of this? I get were all happy about the other issues. We have a huge debt and businesses are leaving. Do we want Illinois government setting this? Are we ready for the Mc Donalds ordering by kiosk? Or Amazon paying $15 an hour and cutting bonus and benefits.
Comment by Echo The Bunnyman Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:32 pm
==What about the Merit Comp employees that haven’t had a raise in years?==
Apply for a Union job if you want guaranteed step raises. They’ve literally paid their dues, organized, and collectively bargained for their right to a legal contract.
Otherwise, you are on the merit system. How’s that working out for ya?
Comment by MG85 Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:36 pm
== Are we ready for the Mc Donalds ordering by kiosk? ==
Already in the local McD’s … but they still have humans also.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:37 pm
“Do we want Illinois government setting this?”
Yes.
Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:40 pm
MG85,
I have payed my dues litterally. I was a union member for over 15yrs. I took a promotion to better myself and my family. A little humility and a little less judgement on your part may be in order.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:47 pm
=Are we ready for the Mc Donalds ordering by kiosk? =
McDonalds has been messing with Kiosks for 5 years.
FYI- The cubs won a World Series in 2016 in case you missed it.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 2:49 pm
Anonymous 2:47- Thank you for your service. I’m sorry I got busy and didn’t respond about merit comp folks.
But you’re right. Merit comp folks have gotten the worst of both worlds. I sincerely hope that Pritzker re-evaluates and makes you whole too.
MG85- I understand the anger AND we can now afford to be bigger than our own anger. Admittedly, I’m not very good at that most times. Things look like they are going to work out for us finally. I hope we can be gracious and fight for all stateworker wages. I’m going to do better.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:02 pm
Labor hostages released.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:05 pm
I hope competent MC employees are able to get an adjustment. Rauner promised merit increases and bonuses to them that never happened. MC salaries need to be high enough to draw talent from the outside and high enough to encourage union staff, who have institutional knowledge and experience, to apply.
Comment by Johnnie F. Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:06 pm
“Governor Pritzker also took the following measures to support working families”
What about the families not working?
==$15 min wage um, nobody is scared of this?==
Maybe campaign managers.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:07 pm
Exactly Johnnie F, exactly. A natural progression
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:09 pm
-What about the families not working?-
Literally “what-aboutism”
BTW City Zen- I meant you compliment you the other day. You had some great zingers that I enjoyed.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:12 pm
Agreed Anonymous at 2:47.
MC employees should also have regular opportunities to increase their wages based on merit. If there’s merit, one’s salary should increase.
And MG85, not all people, based on job duties/titles, can join a union. Many positions have been removed from collective bargaining.
Comment by Yiddishcowboy Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:13 pm
So there seems to be some confusion with this. I don’t think he signed a $15 minimum wage EO, he employed step raises for state employees only.
I’m guessing he is going to leave it up to the GA to pass a bill for state wide minimum wage.
Comment by Brendan Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:15 pm
Thank you Honeybear at 3:02. We’re all state employees. We must support each other.
Comment by Yiddishcowboy Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:16 pm
Hey Schneider; You lost, please shut up for a while. You couldn’t win with loaded dice, why would anyone listen to you? Take a breath, a new election is 2 years away. Shouldn’t you be planning how to lose big again?
Comment by Retired Educator Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:16 pm
State workers have quietly and dutifully worked without their guaranteed step increases and longevity pay since 2015–no slow-downs, blue flus, etc. They also had to wait for years to get their older back-pay, working without purposeful interruption. That obliterates any narrative that attempts to demonize state workers as greedy and pampered.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:18 pm
JB and AFSCME have to submit a memo to the labor bord next Thursday. Here’s hoping they have a timetable worked out by then.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:19 pm
==Many positions have been removed from collective bargaining.==
And at who’s desire was that? It certainly wasn’t unions.
My tone came off as condescending and I apologize for that, but it’s easy to weather the storm of no pay increases when you sit on higher wage salaries than incoming union members who are required to have a bachelor’s degree or higher to make $40,452.00 a year.
Union employees do believe folks should make more all around. They support higher minimum wages, healthcare for all or better health benefits from the employer, and so on.
I, for one, applaud Pritzker’s take on paying top dollar for top talent. That said, union employees have been illegally withheld from on work performed.
MC employees can’t make such a claim. So, if you want the union protection, rights, and privileges, then my suggestion is you consider that when you look for your next job.
If you want more union jobs and fewer MC positions, then I also suggest you take that notion with you in the voting booth and to your state representative.
Comment by MG85 Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:21 pm
Thank you Honeybear and Yiddishcowboy. That is the point I was trying to make. We are all state employees trying to do a good job and all we ask is to be treated fairly across the board.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:22 pm
===I don’t think he signed a $15 minimum wage EO===
Where did you get that? All you have to do is read the EO or the press release.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:24 pm
- Rich Miller
Some people on Twitter and facebook are thinking this was the EO for minimum wage state wide. Including blueroomstream. The way people on here are talking about mcdonalds workers etc. I didn’t get that anywhere. I’m correcting what other people are saying.
Comment by Brendan Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:27 pm
Have tried Google but I can’t find diddly on the Steps….I would assume this applies to Teamsters as well as AFSMCE?
Comment by sonny chiss Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:30 pm
==We are all state employees trying to do a good job and all we ask is to be treated fairly across the board.==
I hate to belabor the point, but your logic here is what fails you.
All state employees are not treated the same. Not even close.
State employees represented by Teamsters are treated differently than employees represented by AFSCME. Merit Comp is treated differently than Union employees.
In fact, the law allows for state employees in the state legislator to be treated completely different from most other state employees. You should ask a legislative assistant what their overtime compensation rate is (hint: it’s less than a 1:1 ratio on work time).
Should state employees be treated the same? That’s hard to say. I’d love to hear the argument for it, but our system is that of legal contracts and individuals making choices to decide what’s best for them and what representation they want in the work place.
So, respectfully, I disagree and digress.
Comment by MG85 Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:33 pm
Anyone know the timing of when the step increases will appear on our paychecks?
Comment by Glengarry Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:48 pm
=I took a promotion to better myself and my family. A little humility and a little less judgement on your part may be in order.=
A little more about public service on your part might be in order.
Comment by Duopoly Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 3:52 pm
HangingOn, could you send me an email please?
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 4:00 pm
MG85- I’m not talking about “legally” the same, or compensatorily (I don’t think that’s a word but you know) the same. Sure we’re different. I’m talking “dignity and worth” the same. I’m talking about wanting it to work out for MC too. I know a lot of MC folks that I really admire, that honor and value good labor/management relationships and are really fair. I get that we’ve (AFSCME/Labor) has had a lot of abuse. My rhetoric can go from 0 to 100 in seconds. (ask Rich how bad I can get) But I made a pledge to Sue and everyone to be respectful. I’m kinda hoping you’ll go along with that spirit as well. If you don’t. I get it. But I am wanting to work on Labor and management (MC in a lot of cases) to work better. That’s why we have the contract, to guide us.
So yeah, I’m on the side of my fellow public servant.
Sonny Chiss- Steps are only for AFSCME’s as prescribed by our Contract. Teamsters have their own contract which they signed with Rauner.
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 4:04 pm
Being Tim Schneider has to be a lonely job. Kind of like President Trump in the White House of the Holidays.
Comment by Dodger's Blue Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 4:05 pm
“Union folks do believe people should make more. They support higher minimum wage wnd healthcare for all”.
Yet they flock into walmart. Buy oreo cookies. And rarely if ever hire union trades for their personal work. Everyone wants more for these dolks. They just want others to pay for it.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 4:24 pm
BTW. Any union folk who shops via Amazon falls into that category as well.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 4:27 pm
BDD: So that’s why I (a union member) avoid Walmart whenever possible and bypass the self-service checkout lanes and go to a person?
Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 4:37 pm
I never shop at Walmart or Amazon, but I don’t support increasing the minimum wage or paying state workers more either.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 4:39 pm
Another day of bliss.
Comment by Utopia Watch Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 5:12 pm
To those wondering when steps will happen, EO says IL Department of Labor shall review all pending cases within 60 days. Not sure if that answers the question.
Comment by Mr.Black Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 5:22 pm
MG85
MC employees can’t make such a claim. So, if you want the union protection, rights, and privileges, then my suggestion is you consider that when you look for your next job.
==============================================
I petitioned to get in the union. My Department opposed and it went to hearing. I “won” at the hearing, but AFSCME delayed and Gov. Quinn got the legislation passed that permanently barred me from becoming a union member
Comment by Sam Hall Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 8:05 pm
LONGEVITY is also a paragraph within STEP Increases. please do not forget about the employees of ALL classifications only possible increase besides cost of living which is still up in the air from 2015 through 2018. Is this correct someone?
Comment by Longevity too Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 8:31 pm
One whole day. Tax, borrow, spend, rinse, repeat. Welcome back Illinois Democrats. 7.4 billion in the hole and they are already spending money they don’t have.
Comment by Tim Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 8:47 pm
Hi, Tim sorry the dems stopped all the progress that Bruce Rauner was making while in office….lol. If dems had stayed in power with Pat Quinn we would be in a whole lot better shape than the four year Rauner experiment. He’s easy to criticize but he was taking the small steps to move the state into better standing…you can’t do it all in one fell swoop.
Comment by King George Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 8:59 pm
Schneider, just go away already
Comment by Ihatepolitics Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 9:11 pm
Tax,borrow,spend,rinse,repeat. Sounds a lot like the last four years.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 9:44 pm
===Tax,borrow,spend,rinse,repeat. Sounds a lot like the last four years===
No.
Two years, no budget. The rest is ignorance.
You already knew that. Ugh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 15, 19 @ 9:50 pm
I wonder where the ‘new’ starting point will be at.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 7:02 am
Oswego Willy, it takes two sides to negotiate a budget. But you probably know that. So tell me how fiscally responsible it is to spend money that you don’t have? Over 7 billion in the hole and the first thing you do is promise to spend more. Right, wrong or indifferent, you have committed to more spending without the cash to back it up yet, and over 7 billion for services and goods already provided waiting to get paid. How is that fiscally responsible?
Comment by Tim Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 7:25 am
(Sam Hall 8:05 pm) Job title if you don’t mind sharing?
Comment by Steward As Well Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 7:37 am
===it takes two sides to negotiate a budget. But you probably know that===
Ignoring what Rauner did with Drury, Franks, and Dunkin say otherwise, especially when it comes to 60/30 or 71/36.
Learn.
=== So tell me how fiscally responsible it is to spend money that you don’t have?===
Rauner did it, for two years without a budget too? Hmm.
===Over 7 billion in the hole and the first thing you do is promise to spend more. Right, wrong or indifferent, you have committed to more spending without the cash to back it up yet, and over 7 billion for services and goods already provided waiting to get paid. How is that fiscally responsible?===
We’ll see how the Pritzker Administration handles that. They too need 60, 30 and will need more revenue. The capital bill could/may/probably be bonded out.
What else ya got?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 7:53 am
The steps were illegally withheld. The AFSCME impasse was illegal. These were caused by one person, Bruce Rauner. Please spare the crocodile tears about spending costs. Those costs are incurred because instead of staying at the bargaining table and negotiating for modest concessions from state workers that would have helped reduce costs, Rauner chose to fight and lose.
Thankfully Pritzker is following the law. It behooves the GA and Pritzker to find a way to pay the back-wages on the steps, for the workers who earned them and taxpayers on the hook for debt with interest.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 8:12 am
It’s interesting to listen to what I imagine are state employees here complain about how they have suffered. Life is about perspective and if you work for a state funded nonprofit then the state is probably funding your agency at 70% for employee salaries compared to comparable state wages. So sorry, until I see something beyond the $15 rate for the community I can’t cheer yet. And just to be clear it isn’t just the wage, it the health insurance and the retirement plan. And I will also stipulate that state staffing has been undermanned. But it’s still been better working for the state than for a state funded agency.
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 8:44 am
This ra-ra stuff has a price. No one really can argue employees who do equal work deserve equal pay or that they deserve pay we contracted for. The issue is how to pay for it.
JB has no viable revenue plan and spent his first day in office making the hole bigger. We will have massive deficit spending for the next 4 years.
Save the comments Rich for the State workers who get laid off or take pay cuts in 5 years.
Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 8:55 am